Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sleepish in Seattle

It’s stuffy in here. My eyes are shut, but the glare of cheap fluorescent lights is barely tempered. The air smells of exasperation, perspiration and panic. Every few minutes, a woman with a voice like a Valkyrie hoots directions sternly into my ear. I’m either in seventh grade, taking a math test; or I’m at the airport.

Eyes open. Airport.

Which is worse. Airport? Algebra? Not sure.

But it's worth it. I’ve had a week and then some of intense knitting out here in Seattle; including a talk to the Seattle Knitters Guild,* and classes at two shops I love: Fiber Gallery and Weaving Works.** For that, I will bear a security officer (whose career consists largely of looking at nude X-rays of strangers) telling me that traveling in a kilt is A Little Weird and Asking for Trouble.

The first four days were spent in the company of these fellows:

Those are the faces of the Men’s Fall Knitting Retreat 2011, which I look forward to the way I used to look forward to the arrival of the Sears-Roebuck holiday catalogue. So many shiny new toys to look at,*** and always something interesting to see in the underwear section.

This year, Show and Tell Night was combined with a parade of non-bifurcated men’s garments–also known as kilts and sarongs.

Then we had a tickle fight. No, not really. But feel free to imagine that we did.

* I presented a new talk, and they laughed at the jokes. I am so very grateful.

** I bought books at both. I almost bought a loom at the latter, because I don't spend enough of my life playing with fiber already.

***I was particularly taken, not for the first time, by a demonstration of the Pocket Wheel; and left Skacel Collection headquarters with a dreamy hank of something that will become a new design this winter.

Edited to add: By popular demand, a larger version of the kilt photo is available here.

I was in Capital Hill on Saturday around noon, and I swear I saw the guy on the top left corner in his kilt pass by Sage bakery. I'm sorry I forgot his name, but we took a natural dyeing class at Earthues together & he was really sweet. :) And his friend is there, too! (The guy towards the front in a burgundy polo shirt & kilt)! Hooray! I knew they'd be there, somehow.... :)

The kilts are awesome, the pocket wheel undeniably cute, but where oh where is the picture of the new loom, sir? Don't hold out on us!!! Okay, okay, you can get home and unpacked and do Delores Damage Patrol first, I guess.

See he thinks- "traveling in a kilt is A Little Weird and Asking for Trouble." I think- "there goes a stylish man who wears it better than I do, Damn his carved calves."Funny how we all see things differently.(also, SUPER inappropriate for him to say BTW)

Here in Bethlehem PA seeing men in kilts is a pretty regular thing --as a matter of fact, next weekend is the Celtic Classic and the whole town will be kilted men, bagpipes and sheepdogs.Provincial, braces-on-his-brain, security officer!

I second the kilt hose comments. Come on, you guys, you can do it. You all need kilt hose to go with those wonderful kilts. I guess sarong guys need only sandals, though mostly in Seattle, that gets cold and old quickly.Love the picture. Sarah

I was in Seattle this summer and almost bought my son a Utilikilt - but thought we should probably have him measured for it first - lot of money to lay out at one go. You guys look lovely. Keep up the good work.

The thing about wearing a kilt is that, when slouching in a plastic airport seat, you need to keep your knees together. This goes for girls and boys. "I see London. I see France. I see you lost your underpants!"

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